Amari412: So glad you enjoyed the chapter. I didn't know that, his real name will be used later on, if things go according to plan =D. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Beauty meets the Beast

Being helpless was a sign of weakness. Sitting hunched over on his throne, fingers tangled in unruly hair, while his stomach began to churn in anger, Hades was ready to wave the white flag. Two weeks had passed since Melinoe's disappearance. Persephone was frantic just as any mother would be, which left Hades as the silent concerned father. After a third search through the Underworld for any clues to Melinoe's where abouts, along with Persephone and Demeter searching the upper land, neither knew what else could be done. The sound of a shade didn't rouse Hades. His hand waved in the air.

"Speak."

He commanded in a voice which didn't fail to hold his dark authority.

"They killed me my lord... It took my leg... killed me"

The sentence didn't make much sense as Hades was only partly listening. His hand rose as he was about to banish the shade to Asphodel, however the shade continued to talk.

"Please, spare but one when she comes. A young girl with silver ebony hair.."

Hades became cut. Rising his eyes, he watched as the shade as his mind began to back peddle what had been said. Stepping from the throne walking with grace only a god could posses, the shade fell upon the ground in a humble yet clumsy bow.

"Where did you die..?"

Looking up the shade would've frowned had Hades gaze not been so serious, so hopeful.

"Crete my lord. I died in Crete."

How many had been wounded by bruising and scrapes was unclear. During such a short time, the group had been lowered to no more than a mere handful. Everyone was fighting for survival, no longer worried about forgetting about stragglers. Anyone who heard the pitiful whimpers or cries would think that at least a dozen more had remained alive. Melinoe was no where to be seen. No one seemed to care.

Melinoe had given up trying to find the others. Her stomach ached, from running or hunger she didn't know. Fiddling around in her deep pouches she pulled out a crust of bread. It was starting to turn green from mould, but hunger got the better of her. Teeth ripped through the stale crust, as she began to chew loudly, jaw ached at the pressure and force she had to use in order to eat such a simple snack. Drool began to trail from the corner of her mouth.

A familiar chill travelled down her spine causing her to shudder, as she drew her body closer for warmth. The Underworld was cold, but Hades would always allow her to snuggle up inside his cloak. Tugging at her clothing Melinoe brought it up to her noes. Just for a moment it smelt like home.

'Clip, clop. Clip, clop.'

Pulling herself out of self loathing Melinoe looked to the side with wide eyes. There was nothing but a thick black shadow. Pushing up on trembling limbs, Melinoe dared herself to have a better look. Peering around the corner where the shadow was coming from, Melinoe was lucky enough to swallow down a sudden gasp of terror. Right in front of her was the Minotaur. Luckily for her, he was facing the other way. Head risen the Minotaur looked as if he was sniffing the air.

Melinoe couldn't tear her eyes away. From this distance she was able to trace the muscles of the Minotaur's back. The fur which covered his legs and hind quarters looked soft, perhaps even silky. The two curved horns remained covered in blood. A brief shudder of fear racked through her body, remembering the cries of pain and terror. As if on queue the Minotaur stopped sniffing. Large ears twitched, before he began to turn his body slowly around. Being brought up in darkness his eyes had evolved. They bore straight down onto Melinoe's form.

Melinoe's eyes seemed so far away, but that didn't distract the Minotaur from her unique beauty. He tilted his head slightly to the side, feeling suddenly curious about her, if only for a moment. A low growl passed his velvet muzzle. Melinoe jumped in surprise, eyes brightening with life as she looked with horror towards a pair of red gleaming eyes. The Minotaur saw the change in her expression and grew made with rage. His eyes narrowed as he snarled, charging towards her.

Everything happened in slow motion. By the time Melinoe's brain was able to connect with her body, she barely managed to turn around, before warmth enveloped the back of her head, followed by a searing pain through her forehead which lasted for only a second. Her body would've slumped to the ground, hadn't it been for a pair of strong arms which gripped her from behind, pressing her unconscious body against his chest. Huffing, the Minotaur lowered his head examining the girl more carefully, he inhaled her strange musty scent.

Shaking his head sharply, he grunted eyes narrowed. Gripping both of Melinoe's arms he hoisted her over his shoulder, one arm wrapped firmly around her waist while his hand gripped just below her bottom. Heavy hooves thumped harshly against the ground as he made his way deeper into the Labyrinth. Into a part he was able to call home.

Placing the unconscious female on the ground, supporting her head with torn rags, the Minotaur starred at her. Head tilted to the side as ears twitched in curiosity. Stretching his hand he collected a small droplet of blood which travelled down her forehead. It shimmered a strong shade of ruby red. Flicking out his tongue, he tasted it snarling at the sweet taste. A rare delicacy. A soft moan coming from her unconscious form made the Minotaur pause. Her blood wasn't for savouring. Walking towards the other side of the room, grabbing hold of a small clay bowl, he pressed it against the wall, where a small trickle of water travelled with every shift of the tide.

Grabbing a spare rag examining it for blood stains, he dapped it into the cold water. Walking back towards the unconscious female, he hesitated for just moment. Looking after victims wasn't a rare thing for him to partake in. He never knew when his next meal would come. But there was something about this female, that made him see her more than just food. Crouching down slowly, using his thick hide to protect himself from the back end of sharp hooves. The Minotaur began to dap at Melinoe's forehead. He made sure to be extra careful of his claws as he pushed stands of her hair away, in order to remove pieces of gravel.

Every time Melinoe would move, or even moan in pain the Minotaur would become stock still. Never did she fully wake up. Leaning in closer he examined the wound, which after much needed cleaning wasn't all that grave to her health. The tiny gash could barely be seen; though it was starting to bruise. Snorting he poured the water away, leaving the cloth beside the bowl. Eyes traced Melinoe's sleeping features, noticing heavy bags under her eyes. His hand lingered towards her face gently stroking her cheek bones. Melinoe gently murmured turning her head, pressing against his twitching palm. Grunting in shock, eyes becoming so wide they may just burst, the Minotaur yanked his hand back sharply as if he'd been burnt.

Eyes glued to her face expecting to see her glaring mockingly though she remained fast asleep. He snarled briefly. Pressing thin lips together in thought, the Minotaur stood himself up quickly. Hooves scrapped harshly against the ground, as he walked towards the entrance of his home. Ears rose up. The fine hairs across his back stood to attention, making him look much larger. Nothing. No whimpering, or cries of mercy. The little group must be sleeping.

Lips pulled back exposing sharp teeth stained with blood. All the more reason to go hunting. Turning his head looking towards the sleeping female, he decided to wait. At least until she woke up. His stomach was already full after last nights kill. There was no point become engorged in such a short space of time.

It didn't mean however that he wouldn't be able to have a little bit of fun. Dark red eyes grazed from her feet to silver ebony hair. Everything about her was different. Part of him felt irritated. She should be dead by now, while another part the more human side praised him, gave him the courage to see something different. Looking down towards his hands which were speckled with her blood, from where he cleaned her wound, he brought them closer to his muzzle, inhaling her rich scent. Intoxicating. Ears drew back. There was a hint of death within the scent, but enough life to sprout that it made the scent sweet.

Curling his fingers together, digging his claws deep within his palms, he leant his head back never taking his eyes off of Melinoe; watching her chest rise and fall steadily. It took surprising effect over him. His body trembled as his eyelids grew heavy. Snapping himself sharply snarling in anger, he turned stomping out of the room. Melinoe wouldn't be able to get far, and if she did try to run it would only bring him amusement in a good chase.

Three hours later...

Melinoe began to stir. A horrible feeling of fire and pain travelled through her head, causing her to groan, as she turned pressing her face against the rags which served as a pillow.

"What happened..?"

She whispered gently, fingers pressing deeply within her temples in a bid to sooth the dull ache. As she snuggled deeper within the rags, it was their sharp smell which made her suddenly spring up in alert remembering vaguely what happened. Glancing around sharply almost expecting to find her out of her body which would be scattered everywhere, she found to relief that she was in tack. Unharmed apart from the small cut upon her forehead. The bowl and rag remained by her side. Fingers stretched nudging it gently as if expecting to see it vanish.

"Impossible.."

Eyes glanced around the room. Everything was simple. She noticed what looked like a bed on the other side of the room, draped with a cloth which made a poor excuse for a quilt. Who brought that down? Surely no one would bring it with them from Athens? As she began to sit herself up, fingers grazing just inches below the healing wound, a slight wince of pain travelled through her body but not enough to make her cry out. Her wrists and ankles remained unbound. The Minotaur was no where in sight. She could see no sign of his red glowing eyes, or his harsh breathing. Standing herself up slowly, arm stretching out to the side in order to support her weight, Melinoe walked forward with care. Pins and needles travelled up the back of her legs making her flinch.

As she drew closer towards the entrance she stumbled backwards as an over powering smell filled her nostrils. Covering her mouth to stifle her screams Melinoe watched in horror as the Minotaur wondered back towards the room, holding a partly devoured carcass. He had yet to notice she was up. There was only one place to hide. Running as lightly as her pained feet would allow Melinoe hid underneath the bed, covering her mouth with her hands, as she closed her eyes tightly. Guilt, humiliation both festered within her stomach. The Minotaur had helped her, and in repayment she was hiding.

'No! - A small voice hissed inside of her mind. - 'He'll only do the same to you, when he has the chance..'

Huffing. Puffing, the Minotaur dropped the carcass on the bed causing the wood to groan. Melinoe was sure she could feel dampness trickling down her back. Though in reality it was only sweat. Hooves inches from her face, Melinoe began to shuffle back, burning her elbows in the process. She watched them, heard angered snarls. He'd noticed her absence. Watching as he began to leave his bed heading towards the spot where she once lay, the Minotaur crouched down picking up one of the rags as he sniffed it deeply. Melinoe was sure she could feel herself being pulled out from under the bed.

Finger nails dug deep within the ground. She was sure the sound of them cracking echoed around the room. The carcass on top of the bed moved due to it hanging over the edge. It landed with a sickening 'thump'. The Minotaur paused in his sniffing, tail swishing slowly behind him. He turned his head slowly in the direction of the bed. Eyes looked directly under the bed; towards Melinoe's unblinking eyes.

As some of you may have noticed I've changed the picture. Reason being, I like having a picture that reflects my image on what I think my characters would look like. Sorry for the cliff hanger but all will be revealed in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a review.

- Signed The Broken Ghost